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Congenital talipes equinovarus in Papua New Guinea: a difficult yet potentially manageable situation

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Abstract

Reports in the literature have suggested a high incidence of congenital deformities, including congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), in many Pacific Islands. This study performed a retrospective analysis of cases of CTEV in an isolated region of Papua New Guinea over a 2-year period. Data was collected on the incidence of CTEV, together with an analysis of initial treatment and outcome. The incidence of CTEV was 2.7 per 1,000 live births per year. A peak incidence of CTEV births in September suggested that maternal anaemia secondary to malaria was a significant risk factor. Good functional outcome was confirmed in only 20% of cases following initial treatment. The authors suggest the Ponseti method as a realistic option for treating CTEV in this region and that it could be instigated with minimal resources and training.

Résumé

De nombreux rapports montrent la fréquence importante de la déformation en pied varus équin congénital dans beaucoup d’îles du Pacifique. L’étude actuelle a pour but de réaliser une analyse rétrospective du pied varus équin congénital dans la région Papouasie Nouvelle Guinée sur une période de deux ans. Toutes les données ont été rassemblées sur le plan épidémiologique ainsi que sur le plan du traitement et de son évolution. L’incidence du pied varus équin congénital est de 2.7/1,000 naissances par an. Il existe un pic plus important au cours des naissances du mois de septembre faisant envisager la possibilité du rôle néfaste de l’anémie après malaria. Les résultats ont été rapportés dans seulement 20% des cas. Les auteurs suggèrent que la méthode de Ponséti sont une des options thérapeutiques du pied varus équin congénital soit appliquée et enseignée de façon large.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. RW Soames for his assistance in the preparation of this manuscript. They also greatly appreciate the travel grants awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons (Eng) Prieskel Award, World Orthopaedic Concern, STEPS and the University of Leeds (Durward Award).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Leeds, Leeds, LS1 3EX, UK

    A. D. Culverwell & C. R. Tapping

  2. Hull Royal Infirmary, Anlaby Road, Hull, HU3 2JZ, UK

    C. R. Tapping

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  1. A. D. Culverwell
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  2. C. R. Tapping
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Correspondence to C. R. Tapping.

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Culverwell, A.D., Tapping, C.R. Congenital talipes equinovarus in Papua New Guinea: a difficult yet potentially manageable situation. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 33, 521–526 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-007-0511-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-007-0511-x

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